Land-based aquaculture
Land-based aquaculture uses the following systems to produce stock:
- pond culture
- recirculating aquaculture systems
- flow-through systems
- dams
- tanks
There are approximately 60 land-based aquaculture licences in South Australia.
Land-based aquaculture species
The major species, including algae, are:
Barramundi
Barramundi
Barramundi (Lates calcarifer) is the one of the highest value and production land-based finfish species in the South Australian aquaculture industry. Farming for commercial food production began in the early 1990s.
Barramundi are well suited to aquaculture because they:
- are hardy
- grow fast
- are a premium table fish.
Farmed Barramundi diets consist of manufactured feeds. They reach approximately 1.5 to 3 kg in 1 year under optimal conditions.
Species such as Barramundi are found in:
- Indo-West Pacific Region
- eastern edge of the Persian Gulf to China
- Taiwan
- Southern Japan
- Papua New Guinea
- northern Australia.
Species such as Barramundi farms are currently farmed for aquaculture in:
- Thailand
- Indonesia
- Australia
Barramundi production
The majority of Barramundi are farmed using one or more of the following systems:
- fully enclosed tanks
- recirculating tanks
- flow-through tanks
- raceway.
These systems can be modified to reproduce the environmental conditions that cause optimal growth in Barramundi.
Land-based algae (seaweed)
Land-based algae (seaweed)
Seaweed are large plant-like marine algae (macroalgae) that belong to three main groups: green, brown and red. Seaweeds are photosynthetic (like plants and seagrasses) but absorb nutrients through 'blades' (leaf-like structures) instead of roots. South Australia has a highly diverse seaweed flora that are endemic to its southern waters.
Seaweed is an emerging sector within the South Australian aquaculture industry. Seaweeds have potential for production of food, bioactives, fertiliser, stock feed (to reduce methane emissions), carbon farming, nutrient offsets, nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals, cosmeceuticals, biofuels and bioremediation.
Seaweed production
As seaweed farming is still predominantly under trial, commercial production is yet to commence. On land, seaweed is generally farmed in tanks, ponds and raceways.
Macroalgae management areas
PIRSA have developed specified macroalgae management areas to manage the unknown seaweed biosecurity (pest and disease) and genetic risks associated with stock movement. The management areas ensure seaweed seedstock or broodstock collection for aquaculture originates from the same macroalgae management area as the licensed area or discharge point for land-based aquaculture sites.
The need for conservative management of the rapidly developing seaweed industry is common across Australia, as identified by the national Seaweed Aquaculture Working Group, until further research is available.
View a map of the management areas and location descriptions for each management area:
Map of the Macroalgae management areas (PDF 1.0 MB)
Location descriptions of macroalgae management areas (PDF 2.5 MB)
Contact
Australian Sustainable Seaweed Alliance
PO Box 2124, Woorim QLD 4507
Email: info@seaweedalliance.org.au
Marron
Marron
Marron (Cherax tenuimanus) is a species of freshwater crayfish.
They are a promising species for aquaculture because of their:
- large size
- good feed conversion efficiency
- reproductive ability.
Marron are native to the south-western region of Western Australia. They were introduced to South Australia on Kangaroo Island in the 1960s. Most Marron farming still takes place on Kangaroo Island.
Other Marron production areas are:
- Eyre Peninsula
- Fleurieu Peninsula
- the south-east.
Marron production
Marron are farmed in fresh water for commercial food production. Existing dams and bodies of water can be used for farming. This can make farming less expensive than for other species that need more complex growing systems. Marron is mostly farmed on private land. It is an industry that is readily available to South Australian primary producers.
Murray cod
Murray cod
Murray Cod (Macculochella peelii peelii) are suited to intensive recirculation aquaculture.
They are very territorial fish and were thought to be too aggressive for aquaculture. Cod grown in tanks are far less competitive than those living in the wild. This makes them suitable for aquaculture and commercial food production.
Wild stocks of Murray Cod are found in the Murray-Darling river system in:
- south-eastern Queensland
- Victoria
- New South Wales
- South Australia.
Murray Cod aquaculture
Murray Cod adapt extremely well to recirculation systems. They become schooling fish when they are stocked at higher densities and are unlikely to establish territories.
Trout (Rainbow and Brown)
Trout (Rainbow and Brown)
The farming of Rainbow Trout (Salma trutta) and Brown Trout (Onchorhynchus mykiss) is a growing contributor to the land-based South Australian aquaculture industry.
Rainbow and Brown Trout are native to:
- Europe
- Iceland
- western Asia.
Rainbow Trout are naturally distributed in North American coastal rivers that drain into the Pacific Ocean. They have been introduced to all continents except Antarctica. The first release of trout in South Australia occurred during the late 1870s.
Trout production
Intensive trout farming is undertaken in raceways and ponds. Only Rainbow Trout is farmed for its commercial food production in Australia. Brown Trout and fry fingerlings are grown by hatcheries for stocking recreational fishing dams under Ministerial permit.
Yabby
Yabby
The common Yabby (Cherax destructor) is an Australian freshwater crayfish. Yabby farming for commercial food production in South Australia started in the early 1980s. Yabbies are well adapted to the seasonality of arid Australia.
Yabbies are well suited to aquaculture because they:
- grow rapidly
- have good feed conversion efficiency
- have high reproductive ability.
Yabbies are native to South Australia and are common in the State’s waterways.
Yabby farming has the highest production on Kangaroo Island.
Other areas of Yabby production are:
- Eyre Peninsula
- Fleurieu Peninsula
- the south-east
- the mid-north.
Yabby production
Yabbies are farmed in fresh water. Existing dams and bodies of water can be used for farming. This can make farming less expensive that other species that need more complex growing systems. Yabbies are mostly farmed on private land. It is an industry that is readily available to South Australian primary producers.
Production and value
The Department of Primary Industries and Regions collects data on production returns of land-based aquaculture licence holders. This is required by the Aquaculture Regulations 2016.
Annual economic impact reports are written using the data collected.
Industry innovation
Saline groundwater
Landowners are investigating if they can use rising saline groundwater to farm aquatic organisms. Trials growing snapper and mulloway have been successful, and interest is expanding.
